Driven mechanism for a three dimensional vehicle parking system

ABSTRACT

A three dimensional parking system (1) includes a plurality of housing stations (X1, Y1, etc.) which are arranged in a vertical direction for accommodating vehicles. A lift compartment (31) is provided adjacent to the housing stations (X1, Y1, etc.). Lifts (4) are vertically movable in the lift compartment while carrying a vehicle thereon. A movable platform (7) carries the vehicle, and is capable of transferring the vehicle to and from the lifts (4). The platform (7) includes drive wheels (9), a drive motor (25) for driving the drive wheels (9), and an energy storage device (19). The energy storage device (19) supplies electrical power to the drive motor (25) when the platform (7) is driven. Therefore, the platform (7) moves between the housing station (X1, Y1, etc.) and the lift compartment (31) under its own ability.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a three dimensional parking system havinglifts and movable platforms for carrying vehicles. More particularly, itrelates to a mechanism for driving a platform adapted to move a vehiclebetween the platform and lifts by means of fork beams formed in acomblike arrangement.

BACKGROUND ART

As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No.62-86272, a three dimensional parking system is known, in which avehicle is transferred between a movable platform having comblike forkbeams for carrying a vehicle and lifts having comblike fork beams. Asshown in FIG. 8, this three dimensional parking system includes housingstations 41, 42 provided on each floor for accommodating vehicles, and alift compartment 43 defined between the housing stations 41, 42 forallowing lifts 44 to be moved upward or downward.

A plurality of separate drive rollers 45 are provided on the same levelat the opposite ends of each of the housing stations 41, 42 and the liftcompartment 43. Further, driver motors 46 are provided in each of thehousing stations 41, 42 and the lift compartment 43 for the respectivegroups of these drive rollers.

Each drive motor 46 and its corresponding drive rollers 45 are connectedby a chain which is driven by the drive motor 46. By driving thesegroups of drive rollers 45 simultaneously, a movable platform 47 used tocarry vehicles is moved on the drive rollers to a predetermined positionin the housing stations 41, 42 or to a predetermined position in thelift compartment 43.

However, since a plurality of drive rollers 45 are provided in each ofthe housing stations 41, 42 and the lift compartment 43, it is requiredto adjust the level of the drive rollers 45 so as to level the groups ofthe drive rollers 45 with each other. Therefore, the conventional threedimensional parking system presents a drawback, namely that significantlabor and time are required for maintenance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drive mechanismfor a three dimensional vehicle parking system which can be easilymaintained, by improving a drive mechanism which drives a movableplatform for carrying a vehicle.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The three dimensional parking system of the present invention includes aplurality of housing stations that are arranged in a vertical directionfor accommodating vehicles. A lift-moving passage is provided adjacentto the housing stations. Lifts are vertically movable along thelift-moving passage while carrying vehicles. A movable platform carriesthe vehicles, and is capable of transferring these vehicles between thelifts and the platform. A platform is provided in each one of thehousing stations.

Each platform comprises drive wheels, a drive motor for driving thedrive wheels, and an energy storage device. The energy storage devicestores electrical power supplied from an outside source, and suppliesthe stored electrical power to the drive motor when the platform isdriven. Therefore, each platform can move independently between thehousing station and part of the lift-moving passage adjacent thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a threedimensional parking system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the three dimensional parkingsystem shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a movable platform for carryinga vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the lifts and the platform;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram useful in explaining a control mechanism ofthe platform;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a variation of the platform;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the threedimensional parking system which includes a different arrangement ofhousing stations for accommodating vehicles; and

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing a conventional threedimensional parking system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention will be described below with referenceto drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional parking system 1 having four guiderails 3(only two of which are shown) erected in the central area. Aplurality of housing stations (X1, X2, Y1) are vertically arranged onthe right and left sides of the guide rails 3. Further, a liftcompartment 31 surroundedby the four guide rails 3 is defined betweenthe housing stations (X1, X2) on the left side and the housing stations(Y1) on the right side.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of platform rails 13 are arranged in each ofthehousing stations (X1, X2, Y1) and the lift compartment 31 on eachfloor. Within the three dimensional parking system 1, a plurality ofmovable platforms 7 for carrying vehicles, are provided in therespective housing stations (X1, X2, Y1, etc.) and are traversable alongthe platform rails 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each platform 7 has drive wheels 9 and idlewheels 10 provided at each of the front and rear ends of the platform.Thedrive wheels 9 and the idle wheels 10 are provided in pairs, suchthat eachpair of wheels includes adjacent right and left wheels of thesame kind. The platforms 7 are arranged on each floor and move back andforth along the platform rails 13 between the housing stations (X1, Y1,etc.) on the floor and the lift compartment 31.

As shown in FIG. 1, suspension mechanisms 6 are arranged on the guiderails3, and are movable therealong. Lift drivers 32 are installed in thetop compartment of the three dimensional parking system 1. Wires 2,which can be reeled up by the lift drivers 32, are suspended from thedrivers. The suspension mechanisms 6 are suspended at the same level bythe wires 2.

One lift 4 is horizontally arranged on a pair of front and rearsuspension mechanisms 6, such that the parking system 1 has a pair oflifts 4 which are vertically movable along the guide rails 3. Each lifthas a plurality of lift fork beams 5 formed in a comblike arrangement.These lift fork beams 5 extend toward the center of the lift compartment31.

As shown in FIG. 3, each platform 7 has a plurality of platform forkbeams 8 which extend in the central part thereof in the right and leftdirections. The lift fork beams 5 freely pass between the platform forkbeams without contacting them, when the platform 7 moves into the liftcompartment 31, and when the lift fork beams move in the upward anddownward directions within the lift compartment 31. When a vehicle isloaded either on the platform fork beams 8 or on the lift fork beams 5,the lift fork beams 5 pass through the platform fork beams 8, and thevehicle is transferred from one set of fork beams onto the other set offork beams.

As shown in FIG. 3, sprocket wheels 12 are mounted on the shafts of thedrive wheels 9, such that they rotate in unison with the shafts. Aplatform motor 25 is mounted on a front frame of the platform 7.Further, a shaft 26 is rotatably supported between the front and rearframes of theplatform 7.

The rotation of the platform motor 25 is simultaneously transmitted tothe front sprocket wheels 12 via a chain 14, and to the rear sprocketwheels 12 via the shaft 26 and chains 14. The front and rear drivewheels 9 are driven by the platform motor 25 at the same rotationalspeed. As a result,the platform 7 travels straight on the platform rails13, in a perpendicular direction to the surface of the views shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the platform rails 13 in the housing stationsand those in the lift compartment 31 are not continuously connected toeach other. Gaps 33 between the rails 13 allow the lifts 4 to passbetweenthe platform rails. The distance between the adjacent right andleft drive wheels 9 and the distance between the adjacent right and leftidle wheels 10 of the platform 7 are set to a value which is greaterthan the width h of the gaps 33.

Therefore, when the platform 7 travels back and forth between thehousing station (X1, Y1) and the lift compartment 31, both drive wheels9 do not simultaneously fall in the gap 33, nor do both idle wheels 10.Hence, in spite of the existence of the gaps 33, the platform 7 smoothlytravels back and forth between the housing station (X1, Y1) and the liftcompartment 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, a controller 18 and an energy storage device 19 arearranged in the center of the platform 7. The energy storage device 19serves as a power source for devices installed on the platform 7, suchas the platform motor 25 and the controller 18.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a connector 17 is arranged on one end of theplatform 7. The housing stations (X1, X2, Y1) are provided with chargingdevices 15 which are connectable to a corresponding connector 17. Whentheconnector 17 of the platform 7 is brought into contact with theassociated charging device 15, the energy storage device 19 on theplatform 7 chargesup.

Further, an emitter 23 of the regulator (23, 24) is provided in each ofthehousing stations (X1, X2, Y1). The platform 7 carries a receptor 24of the regulator (23, 24) opposite to the emitter 23. The emitter 23emits a beamof light in the direction of the receptor 24, in response toinstructions from a console panel 27. The console panel 27 is located onthe ground.

When the receptor 24 detects light which is emitted from the emitter 23while the platform 7 is stopped or not moving, the controller 18 startstodrive the platform motor 25. When the receptor 24 detects light fromthe emitter 23 while the platform 7 is operational, the controller 18stops driving the platform motor 25. The emitter 23 emits an instructionsignal for stopping mainly when the platform 7 must be stoppedimmediately, such as in case of an emergency.

As shown in FIG. 4, receptors 21 of the detector (20, 21, 22) aremounted on the front and rear portions of the platform 7, respectively.A second emitter 20 of the detector (20, 21, 22) is arranged in one ofthe front and rear inner walls of each housing station (X1, X2, Y1).Further, the first emitters 22 of the detector (20, 21, 22) are arrangedin the front and rear inner walls of the lift compartment 31,respectively.

When one of the receptors 21 on the platform 7 detects light from thesecond emitter 20 or from the first emitters 22, the controller 18 stopsdriving the platform motor 25. Thus, the platform 7 is controlled suchthat it stops in a predetermined standing position within each housingstation (X1, X2, Y1), or in a predetermined standing position within thelift compartment 31.

As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 18 incorporates a timer 18a. Thecontroller 18 performs a sequential control of the rotational speed oftheplatform motor 25 according to timing measured by the timer 18a, totherebyproperly change the travelling speed of the platform 7.

The method of parking a vehicle C1 in the housing station X1 locatedabove the ground level. First, the vehicle C1 is driven into a drive-instation 34 provided on the ground floor or level of the parkingsystem 1. The vehicle C1 is parked such that its wheels are positionedon the lift fork beams 5 of the lifts 4. The drive-in station 34 isprovided with a movableplateau 35 which is slidable in the horizontaldirection, and which normally fills a gap between the lifts 4.Therefore, the vehicles and persons can safely pass through the drive-instation 34.

The driver and passengers, if any, can then go through the waitingstations36, adjacent to the drive-in station 34, to exit the parkingsystem 1. The driver or one of the passengers can move the vehicle C1,which is parked in the drive-in station 34, inside the housing stationX1 by operating theconsole panel 27 located outside the parking system1.

In response to instructions from the console panel 27 for moving thevehicle, both lifts 4 start to ascend. The lifts 4 with the vehicle C1loaded on the lift fork beams 5 ascend to a position higher than thelevelof the platform 7 in the housing station X1.

Meanwhile, in response to instructions from the console panel 27 formovingor transferring the vehicle, the emitter 23 in the housing stationX1 emitsa signal. When the receptor 24 on the platform 7 detects theemitted signal, the controller 18 starts to drive the platform motor 25.

Under the control of the controller 18, the platform motor 25 is startedata low speed. Afterwards the rotational speed of the platform motor 25increases to cause the platform 7 to travel at high speed. The platform7 then moves into the lift compartment 31, whereupon the platform 7decelerates. When the receptors 21 on the platform 7 detect the signalsemitted from the first emitters 22, the controller 18 stops driving theplatform motor 25. As a result, the platform 7 is stopped in apredetermined position within the lift compartment 31.

Thereafter, both the lifts 4 are slowly lowered. As the lifts 4 go down,the lift fork beams 5 pass between the platform fork beams 8. By passingof the lift fork beams 5 through the platform fork beams 8, the vehicleC1is transferred from the lift fork beams 5 onto the platform fork beams8. After the transfer of the vehicle C1, the lifts 4 return to thedrive-in station 34 at a high speed.

The platform 7 with the vehicle C1 loaded thereon travels toward thehousing station X1. The speed of the platform 7 is controlled by thecontroller 18. When the receptor 21 on the platform 7 detects the signalemitted from the second emitter 20, the platform motor 25 ceases to bedriven.

Thus, the vehicle C1, which is carried on the platform 7, is transferredtothe housing station X1. The vehicle C1 could be transferred or movedinto the housing station Y1, by a similar procedure.

Next, a method for accessing and removing the vehicle C2 parked in anunderground housing station X2.

In response to instructions from the console panel 27 for taking out thevehicle, both lifts 4 descend from the level of the drive-in station 34toa pit 37 provided at the bottom of the lift compartment 31, and areheld there. Subsequently, the emitter 23 in the housing station X2 sendsout a signal. When the receptor 24 on the platform 7 detects thissignal, the platform 7 travels and stops within the lift compartment 31.

As the lifts 4 ascend the vehicle C2 is transferred from the platformfork beams 8 onto the lift fork beams 5, and the platform 7 returns toits original position. Furthermore, as the lifts 4 ascend from the pit37, themovable plateau 35 slides to open the underground part of thelift compartment 31.

The lifts 4 move up to a position higher than the level of the movableplateau 35. When the lifts 4 pass the level of the plateau 35, theplateau35 returns to its original position to close the underground partof the lift compartment 31 again. When the lifts 4 go down to the levelof the plateau 35, a driver would be able to access and get inside thevehicle C2.

The platform 7 according to the present embodiment has the wheels 9, 10,the platform motor 25, the energy storage device 19, etc. incorporatedtherein, so that it operates with a drive mechanism provided outside theplatform 7. Accordingly, it is not required to provide power supplywirings for motors, drive rollers, chains, etc. in the housing stationsorthe lift compartment. Therefore, maintenance on the three dimensionalparking system 1 according to the present embodiment can be much moreeasily carried out than the maintenance on conventional parking system,and the cost for maintenance is reduced.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodimentdescribed above, and the following variations can be made.

(1) As shown in FIG. 6, in which the shaft 26 is omitted, two platformmotors 25 may be provided on the front and rear frames of the platform 7for driving the front drive wheels 9 and the rear drive wheels 9,respectively.

(2) In the embodiment described, the emitter 23 in the housing stationand the receptor 24 on the platform 7 are used for emitting andreceiving an instruction signal for starting the platform 7 as well asone for stoppingthe platform 7. In another embodiment, an emitter andreceptor for startingthe platform, and an emitter and receptor forstopping the platform in caseof emergency may be separately provided.

(3) In the embodiment described above, there is used a transmission typephotoelectric detector comprising a emitter-receptor combination. Inplaceof the transmission type photoelectric detector, there may be useda reflection type photoelectric detector, an infrared switch, a limitswitch, a proximity switch which senses proximity of a metal, etc.

(4) In the embodiment described above, the housing stations (X1, Y1,etc. )are provided on the right and left sides of the lift compartment31. In another embodiment, the housing stations may be formed on thefront and rear sides of the lift compartment, while the platform 7 iscaused to travel in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 7.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described herein in detail, by using the drive mechanism for themovableplatform in order to carry the vehicle according to the presentinvention, maintenance on the three dimensional parking system isrendered easier than with conventional parking systems.

I claim:
 1. A three dimensional parking system including a plurality ofparking stations arranged in a vertical direction for receiving vehiclesto be parked, the system comprising:a pair of lifts for supporting thevehicle, each of the lifts having a plurality of lift fork beams formedin a comb-like arrangement; a lift compartment disposed adjacent to theparking stations for enabling said lifts to vertically move among theparking stations; the parking stations including a plurality of energycharging devices and a plurality of platforms for carrying the vehicles,said platforms being horizontally movable between the parking stationsand said lift compartment; each of said platforms including a pluralityof drive wheels for allowing the platform to laterally move, a motor fordriving said drive wheels, a controller for controlling said motor, anenergy storage device, and a connector for connecting said energystorage device to said energy charging device when the platform islocated in the parking station; each of said platforms further includinga plurality of platform fork beams formed to pass between said lift forkbeams of the pair of lifts, whereby a vehicle is transferred between thepair of lifts and a selected platform located in a predetermined stopposition within the lift compartment, by the cooperation of said liftfork beams and platform fork beams; and detection means for determiningwhether said selected platform is exactly located in said predeterminedstop position within the lift compartment, said detection meansincluding front detector pair comprising a first detector disposed in afront end of each platform and a first counter element arranged in saidlift compartment for facing said first detector of the platform locatedin said predetermined stop position, and rear detector pair comprising asecond detector disposed in a rear end of each platform and a secondcounter element arranged in said lift compartment for facing said seconddetector of the platform located in said predetermined stop positions,whereby said controller controls said motor in response to signalstransmitted from said first and second detectors.
 2. The parking systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said first and second counter elements areemitters, and said first and second detectors are receptors forreceiving signal radiations emitted from said emitters.
 3. The parkingsystem according to claim 1, wherein each of the parking stationsincludes a counter element for facing one of said first and seconddetectors when the platform is located in a predetermined position to bestopped within the parking station.
 4. The parking system according toclaim 1, wherein said controller incorporates a timer for measuring thetime which elapsed after the commencement of the start of said platform,whereby the speed of said platform is controlled on the basis of theelapsed time.
 5. The parking system according to claim 1 furthercomprising platform rails arranged in said parking stations and liftcompartment, for allowing said platforms to travel thereon, whereby saidplatform rails arranged in said parking stations are separated from saidplatform rails arranged in said lift compartment by a gap, and whereineach of said drive wheels is formed of two adjacent wheels in adirection of movement of said platform, and wherein a distance betweentwo adjacent wheels is set to a value greater than said gap between saidplatform rails.